Reiki Symbols

What do Reiki symbols mean? Are they secret or sacred? Do they have real power?

Reiki symbols were always held in secrecy and were only revealed to students of Reiki by a Master teacher during initiation. Nowadays, these symbols are available in books and online.

Many Reiki Masters and practitioners hold that this is not an appropriate way to receive the symbols; you need to become initiated by a Master and receive the symbols from the Master rather than from a book or internet.

But, this is the nature of our changing world. We never step into the same river twice and so it is with Reiki healing, initiation, and symbols. Can we let go of the old way and embrace learning in new non-traditional ways?

Rather than treating these symbols as secret, we can treat them as sacred?

I believe that Reiki is an evolving healing modality. As more and more people become attuned and self empowered, the teachings naturally evolve. We all have access to the same universal field, the field of consciousness and knowledge, from which we all can draw upon.

Reiki healing symbols are one of the tools to tap into this universal field and with intention to access energy for healing and balancing. We use them to connect with different aspects of Reiki.

Reiki Symbols Revealed

There can be so much secrecy surrounding these symbols, that one of the frequently goggled phrases is "reiki symbols revealed". Healers and spiritual seekers want to know what the symbols are.

I ask myself, what is the value of knowledge if it is not shared? We live in a time when sharing of information is critical and vital to our planetary transformation. We are all on a journey of transformation, we are in this together.

And in the Spirit of valuing healing, growth, empowerment, and transformation, I share these symbols on this page. I do so with great reverence to the teachers and masters and to all healers. I share the symbols with humbleness and with understanding that they are sacred symbols, to be used only for the highest good of humanity.

I hope that you too will treat these symbols as sacred.

So, what are these Reiki Symbols?

There are five symbols in the Usui Reiki Healing system. Traditionally, three of these symbols are taught to Reiki 2 students and the fourth and fifth symbols are reserved to Reiki Master students.

While on paper or on your monitor you will see the symbols flat two dimensional, I want to note that they are multidimensional. There is no limit or restriction to the size of the symbols.

You will draw these symbols in the air, with your hand or just the fingers. It is up to you how you would like to draw them.

Usui used the symbols as a way of grounding and centering for the students.

When you ask for Reiki to flow, always ask do so "for the highest good".

The Power Symbol

Choku Rei symbol, pronounced:chohkoo ray

Some practitioners like to draw the Choku Rei symbol clockwise, rather than counterclockwise (as it is shown on this page). It is up to you how you choose to draw this symbol, both are equally valid and powerful.

This is a very powerful symbol and typically it is drawn in three strokes. This symbol is mostly used for empowering, cleansing, and protecting.

This is the first symbol that is taught during Level 1 training.

The Mental/Emotional (Harmony) Symbol

Sei Hei Ki symbol, pronounced: say hay ke

This symbol is drawn with nine strokes and the main purpose of the second Reiki symbol is to bring emotion balance, peace and harmony.

Using this symbol helps to balance the left and right brain hemisphere.

It can free blocked feelings, calm emotional distress.

You can also use it to facilitate forgiveness (self and others), release attachments, cut energetic ties.

The Distant/Connection Symbol

Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen symbol, pronounced: hahn shaw zhe show nen

Also called the "connection" symbol because it goes beyond space and time and connects everything across the universe.

It is used for distant healing. You can use it to send Reiki to someone who lives on the other side of the world from you.

You can also use this symbol across time and send Reiki to yourself if you have something happening in the future where you know you could use some help (a surgery, a job interview, etc.).

You can send Reiki to your past to heal traumas, past relationships, and heal the emotional/spiritual effects of past events. You can use it to heal ancestral wounds.

This symbol cuts through our linear perception of the Universe and works across the many layers of space, time, and the field.

The distant reiki symbol is also drawn during distance attunements.

When practicing distance healing, the first thing you must do is to set an intention. Your thought energy, the intention, becomes part of the healing.

The Reiki Master Symbol

Dai Ko Myo symbol, pronounced: dye ko meo

This is the most powerful symbol of all and is used only by Reiki masters. It is a symbol for empowerment, soul healing, and non-dual realization.

Completion Symbol

Raku symbo, pronounced: ray koo

Also known as the "fire serpent" this symbol is used for kundalini energy healing and for grounding. It can also be used for aligning of the seven chakras.

If you had at least level one attunement, these symbols may be of more help to you. While I share these symbols, I believe that it is best for you to spend time with a Reiki Master who can mentor you and answer any questions you may have.

I believe that we all have a healing ability, it is not reserved for a few people. It is just a matter of being open to the possibility and tuning in to the wisdom of the Universe and our own power.

Some healers say that the symbols themselves have tremendous power. Others say, that it is the intention of the healer that has all the healing power.

What is your intention?

Are you open to the possibilities?

How can learning Reiki help you in your personal growth and transformation?

What do you need right now?

My wish for you is that you have learned something of value on this page. And perhaps, you will use these symbols in your work. Whether it is your own healing work or healing of someone else, or even healing of our collective consciousness, global and planetary healing.

May you be well and may you always use this gifts of healing to the highest good of all humanity, the animal kingdom, the plant kingdom and the healing of our mother Earth.